October 25, 2019
a whole-hearted community,
feeding body, mind & spirit

Theme for October: Democracy
Sunday, Oct 27
9:30am: Newcomers & Visitors Meet & Greet
Alliance room next to kitchen - all welcome!

Friday, Nov 1
4pm: MUUSA Conference in the church
Saturday, Nov 2
8am: MUUSA Conference in the church


Sunday Nov 3
11:45am: Social Justice Meeting in Joshi
Worship
Oct 27 – America the Beautiful
Our democracy seems to be facing a crisis of confidence, commitment, and nerve. As we watch events unfolding in our government, can we hold onto our principles and celebrate the beauty beneath the tarnish? America may not be what they said it was – but can it be something much better?    ~ Rev Pam Rumancik

Special Music by Tim Hays
Nov 3 - North Star or Glowing Coal?
You have to know where you are in order to get where you’re going. What is the guiding principle of UCH? Who are we and where do we go in the future? Your board of trustees has been doing great work around examining these ideas but each person who longs to lead a life of meaning and purpose must find time to examine their own values and guiding principles. ~Rev Pam Rumancik
Our October Social Justice Collection to benefit UU Prison Ministry was $569! Thank you for your support.
Sunday, October 27 th
Introduce a friend to The Unitarian Church of Hinsdale!
Got a friend or co-worker who's a UU but doesn't know it? Know anyone who is looking to finds a community which welcomes them and offers space for asking the big questions in life? Invite them to church this Sunday! And if they can't make it this week, bring them next week.
Because, really, every Sunday is Bring a Friend to Church Sunday!
All are welcome!!
Newcomer’s Meet and Greet - Oct 27th
Have you been visiting The Unitarian Church of Hinsdale (UCH) for a Sunday or two, or more?
Would you like to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and our church?
Would you like to meet other newcomer’s, friends, and members of UCH?
Then you will want to join us for a continental breakfast sponsored by our Membership Committee. Come for coffee, treats, and good conversation. Have questions? Contact Pam Fodor re@hinsdaleunitarian.org or 630-323-2885.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27 th 9:30-10:15 am
In the Alliance Room (next door to the kitchen)
COMMUNITY
Caring Corner
The ripples of our lives touch those around us. We keep in mind all of our members and friends including...

  • For all of our members who are caring for elderly parents & relatives. May they find the love and support they need for their powerful work.

  • For the family of Jim Murray as they mourn the untimely death of his niece.
Please let us know of folks we should add to our list and share with our Caring Circle Coordinators .
 
*You will find the Caring Circle list of Area Coordinators at the end of the Touchstone found on our website at http://www.hinsdaleunitarian.org/new/the-touchstone/
Please Note.... Playreading CANCELLED this week!
Tomorrow night's Playreading has been cancelled due to an illness in the cast. We will reschedule in the next couple of more months
Save the date!
Engage conversations on what matters to us in the world in an interactive workshop led by Rev. Scott Aaseng. Join in an affinity group meet-up to build connections and engage discussion on challenges, best practices, opportunities to collaborate and leverage the good work being done in congregations.  The conference will run from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm and includes lunch. A $10 donation is requested to cover costs. The workshop will be hosted at Unity Temple Community Center,  1019 South Blvd., Oak Park, IL 60302 .  For more information contact Darren Howard at UCH  darrenhoward1981@hotmail.com  or  uuchicagoarea@gmail.com    
Women's Alliance Outing Monday, Nov 4
Women's Alliance has planned a special outing to tour the Mayslake Peabody Estate on Monday, November 4th at 1 pm. Cost is $8/person. The tour will be led by Sandra Brennan and non-Alliance members are welcome to attend.
 
We will meet in the foyer of the mansion at 12:45 pm
Address is:   1717 31st St, Oak Brook, IL 60523
 
The tour includes 2 floors and there is not an elevator. For those that have difficulty with stairs, it still can be worthwhile to tour the first floor. Please rsvp to Cathy Goering ( cathgoer@aol.com ) so we that we know how many people to expect.
NEW UU ORIENTATION WORKSHOPS
These workshops provide the opportunity for visitors and friends of the church to learn more about Unitarian Universalism, discover the history of our church, meet other interesting people, learn how to get involved in our congregation, and guide you on the path to becoming a member. Please join us in Room 6 on the upper level of the RE Building on the following dates…
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5 from 7:00pm-9:00pm
If you are new to Unitarian Universalism(UUism), our first session will introduce you to what makes our tradition so rich, and how we covenant together as a religion and a church.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12 from 7:00pm-9:00pm
If you are familiar with Unitarian Universalism and are interested in The Unitarian Church of Hinsdale(UCH), join us for our second session to hear what UCH has to offer and how you can become a member.
ATTEND BOTH SESSIONS
If you are new to UUism and UCH and/or would like to know it all, join us for both sessions. We can’t wait to get to know you better!

Please RSVP to Pam Fodor
or sign up on the sheet at the visitor’s table  
Small Group Ministry Now Forming:
Join Today for Spiritual & Theological Deepening
Each year we gather new groups to get together and talk about the profound and sustaining topics which are rare in everyday life.
Who are we?
Why are we here?
What do we believe and why?
Sign up at the back of church or call or email the office office@hinsdaleunitarian.org today.
Find your way into a community of faith that sustains and nourishes your whole life today~
Neighbor Nights Coming this Fall to an Area Near You!!
The Membership Committee is organizing the popular Neighbor Nights this fall. Neighbor nights are enjoyable opportunities for our church family to gather together in homes. Host picks a date and time in the fall, invites members in your area (list will be provided), asks for people to bring food and beverage to share, and VOILA! -- it's a party! Our church community loves these small group get-togethers!
We are looking for host homes to serve as gathering places for church neighbors and friends. Be on the lookout for more information about the Neighbor Night in your area. To sign up to host, either sign up on the sheet in the Alice Warren Room or contact Megan Griffin at  meganlehuta@yahoo.com  or (708) 314-0644.
 
Hosts still Needed for These Areas:
1)   Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills, Burr Ridge, 
3)   Indian Head Park, Western Springs, Willow Springs
6)   LaGrange, LaGrange Park, Countryside, Hodgkins
8)   Woodridge, Plainfield, Romeoville, Shorewood, St. Charles, Glen Ellyn
Homeless Youth of Chicago Need Help
Holiday Stockings for The Crib of the Night Ministry
Every holiday season PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbian and Gays) construct special Christmas stockings filled with necessary sundries precious to these homeless youth. UCH has been very generous in the past and they are asking again for donations of the following items to fill these stockings. Please bring your donations and deposit them in the labeled box in the Alice Warren Room by Sunday, Nov 1 . Thank you in advance for your generosity, which means so much to these youth. Questions? Contact Linda at 630-323-2885x101 or office@hinsdaleunitarian.org
$10 cards for Walgreens, CVS, Jewel, Dunkin Donuts, McDonalds, Subway
Knit caps
Scarves
Toothbrushes & travel-sized toothpaste
Small pack of tissues
Full size deodorants
Lip balms 
Hand lotions
Hand warmers 
Adult thermal socks 
Magic gloves 
Small memo pads and pens 
Deck of cards 
Assorted candy, mints, and packs of gum

Get your submissions in now for the December issue - Nov 1st deadline!
SOCIAL JUSTICE

Don't Forget!
This Sunday is the last of the month, so bring your styrofoam to the RE lift. We are no longer take metal Thanks!!
The Parole Illinois Forum a Success! Thank you to all who came out to hear why it is important that Illinois reinstate the possibility for parole. Pictured are Kilroy Watkins and Rebecca WB of Parole Illinois who are discussing the proposed legislation. This legislation will focus on giving people who have been incarcerated more than 20 years and who are 50 years or older the chance to be assessed by a parole board. 

Here is a letter from one of the speakers:

Thank you for rallying around our cause, mass incarceration is inhumane and is the civil-rights issue of our era. Advocating for bringing parole back in Illinois is a just fight. People should be afforded an opportunity to prove they can be productive citizens.
I am so grateful to those of you who attended the event. It's so easy to say that we don't know enough about a thing to say anything about it. And there is vitual in that. But it is not virtuous to ignore the state of life when we know how wrong things are for everybody else.
The people asked, "When will justice come to Athens?" And Euripides answered, "justice will not come to Athens until those who are not oppressed are as enraged about it as those who are oppressed. "When will justice come to the criminal justice system? It depends on how you really feel.
Of course you'll be criticized for going against the grain of the ideas around you. But Oscar Wilde helps us to understand the value of it when he writes, Agitators are a set of interfering, meddling people who come down to some perfectly contented class of the community and sow seeds of discontent among them. That is why agitators are so absolutely necessary."
It is evident that your heart for the incarcerated citizens of Illinois are a concern to you building a beloved community. This is a blessing.

Thanks again for all your support and encouragement.
In religious solidarity, Lonnie Smith
The Black Lives Matter Initiative / Beloved Conversations Alumni team meetings will now be scheduled on THIRD TUESDAYS.
Black Lives Matter Initiative Weekly Link


To view the full Race Resources page on our website, please click HERE
SAVE THE DATE !
Thanksgiving at UCH
UCH will host it's wonderful Thanksgiving dinner for Church members and friends this Thanksgiving. The event will be held in the Alice Warren room. Turkey and vegetarian options will be available as well as fabulous side dishes and desserts made by our Church members. There is room for the first forty reservations. Sign up sheets will be posted in the AWR soon. For questions, or to book a reservation now please call or email Laurie Pittelli at (630) 267-1848 or via email: lauren.pittelli@gmail.com
 
Hope you can join in!

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Mark your calendars on Saturday, November 16 at 5pm so you can attend the
2019 Harvest Home Service Auction & Party.
The Harvest Home Committee is starting to collect personal donations for the Harvest Home event on November 16th. This is one of the main social and fund-raising events of the year. We are now accepting personal donations from our members. People have offered to host events at their homes, personal services like tech consulting, driving, and baking, theater and sports tickets, and other attractive and exciting auction items. The opportunities are endless. KC Edgin will be organizing and reaching out to ask for personal donations for this years event. She will also be in the Alice Warren room after services this Sunday, October 6th to hand out donor sign up forms & answer any questions you might have about donations.  Thank you for your consideration. See you Sunday!

Tickets Are On Sale Sunday - $20
Great Food! Great Decorations! Great Company!

and More.......
CRS Advocacy Training
Saturday, November 2
Your Voice has VOLUME! Let our elected officials hear you as you become the sound of change in Illinois. The CRS  Illinois Advocacy 101  training will provide YOU with information and strategies to move our initiatives into law. Let us all learn and reason together. 
Join us on the West Side on Saturday, November 2, from 10:00 a.m to noon for training at the Third Unitarian Church of Chicago.  Download the flyer  and help us spread the word #weareCRS.
CRS Brings Deputy Registrar Training to the Western Suburbs
Hello Friends:
I am Rev. Damon Smith, the West and West Suburban Organizer for Community Renewal Society. I have important and exciting news to share. CRS, in partnership with the Cook County Clerk’s Office, is hosting a Deputy Registrar’s Training on Saturday, November 9th @ 10:00am – 11:30am at Neighborhood United Methodist Church, 1817 Washington Blvd. in Maywood.
 
This training is for individuals who live and vote in the Western Suburbs of Cook County, non-Chicago residents. Once completing this training, those in attendance will take an Oath and then be legally able to register qualified individuals to vote in Cook County.
 
Who can be a Deputy Registrar? Anyone who is a registered voter in Cook County. CRS wants to strongly encourage young people to become Deputy Registrars so that we have the highest Voter Turnout since the 2008 elections. We need YOU AND YOUR NEIGHBORS TO ATTEND!
 
You MUST PRE-REGISTER BY OCTOBER 29th! The registration link is https://www.communityrenewalsociety.org/events/drt-1
 
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call, 312-687-8581.
 
Thank you and Hope to See You There! 
-         Rev. Damon Smith
Hinsdale Men's Chorus Concert - Saturday Oct 26 @ 7:00 pm
Praise Festival of Men's Voices next Saturday at the Hinsdale Seventh-day Adventist Church (201 North Oak, Hinsdale, Illinois 60521). Admission is free, although a free will offering will be collected.
Emergency Exit Map
Please note that in the back of every Singing the Living Tradition hymnal there is an emergency exit route map. In case of an emergency, refer to this guide and please assist others who do not have a map.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Check Us Out and “Like" the UCH Facebook Page!
In addition to News and Notes and The Touchstone, we will be using our Facebook page to keep the congregation and the community informed about upcoming events and initiatives. Share our posts with your family and friends. Just click on the logo above and search for “Unitarian Church of Hinsdale” in the search bar.
You can also find us on Twitter at @UUHinsdale .